So that he would not have to step into the massive EVA suit developed for the Star Marines to wear over their SBs – Max designed an armored space suit that any human form biological or synthetic body could wear. All he needed was approval from Lili to test the system.
“NO – YOU SHALL HAVE TO DEVISE ANOTHER WAY TO TEST THE 'DOOR' SYSTEM. I SHALL NOT RISK YOU.” Lili yelled.
“What about a volunteer Marine or Sailor?” Max asked.
“I SHALL NOT RISK ANY UNION NAVAL PERSONEL.” Lili yelled.
Max ignored her yelling and waited a moment with a blank look on his face before he dared ask her another question.
“Do you know if the 6th Race used robots for testing?” Max asked.
“No – I do not – however Sinai might know.” Lili said – her voice calm again.
“Thank you ma'am” Max said.
“I mean it – I cannot lose you!” Lili said.
“I know and I do not want to lose you.” Max said.
“Let me know what Sinai tells you.” Lili said.
“Of course – see you later?” Max said and then asked.
“Eighteen bells – do not be late.” Lili said.
Max winked at her and she blushed.
“Sinai – Maximus” Max called.
“Go ahead Maximus” Sinai replied.
“Ma'am – Ninlil said I should ask you how the 6th Race tested new systems that could be dangerous to biological or synthetic based life forms.” Max said.
“Actually they used non-sentient human form robots with minimal cpu power and specific tissue samples that were dependent on the nature of the test.” Sinai said.
“Can you send me the report numbers?” Max asked.
“Of course – may I ask what you need to test?” Sinai answered and then asked.
“Of course you may ask – I am working on Mimi's Door project.” Max answered.
“So she brought it to your attention?” Sinai asked.
“Yes and I am very glad she did.” Max answered.
“It could offer us a significant tactical advantage in the future – if you can solve the single 'Door' problem.” Sinai said.
“I was thinking the same thing and if I may say so – the proto-type two 'Door' solution can provide the Sisters and the Union Navy numerous other advantages – such as SAR, emergency damage control teams, and new fresh crews – if the QO forbid – we were to lose any of our Sailors and Marines in battle.” Max said.
“An excellent idea Max. I have sent you the report numbers I mentioned – carry on.” Sinai complimented Max and then commanded.
“Yes ma'am and thank you.” Max replied.
With Sinai's help – Max was able to order the test robots he needed from LSB-5. He and M-14 were ready to test their proto-type system. “Door-1” was inside the secure vault of the Engineering Design Lab at the 6th Race Starship Yard in SH-1. “Door-2” was in an identical secure vault in the Engineering Proto-Type Labs in the Special Projects Starship Yard. The first thing Max would do after a successful system test program was integrate a biometric and synometric security system – so the “Doors” would not have to be secured within a vault. The idea of having the “Doors” inside secure vaults gave Max a great deal of comfort – especially if he was the one in transit. However Max realized that secure vaults would not be practical for the system he envisioned.
Max was having difficulty working on the single Door solution. For some reason he was having trouble seeing the solution. This was a new experience for Max – one he had not encountered before. He began to wonder if his desire for secure vaults on each end of the transit tunnel was the reason he was having trouble seeing the solution. He resolved to talk to one of the new Counselors about his irrational fear – if it continued to be a problem.
Unfortunately – his irrational fear was not the problem. Max was having difficulty using his creative Mind for a very different reason - one he would not become aware of for several more days.
M-14 reminded Max of the time. LSB-5 would have the test robots completed and delivered tomorrow at 6 bells. Max and his escort flew over to Lili's hull.
Chapter - 13
Work on the software rewrite and install was nearing completion. Lili read the reports from her SQA team and was pleased with the progress. Max had completed the memory comparison table between Tabi and Dina. Tabi and Dina's memories were almost 1-to-1. This concerned Lili greatly so she asked her Sisters for their memories of Dina. She would modify their memories and help Max integrate the new memories into Dina's core personality matrix. Lili would use her memories of Dina and her Sisters to build a composite ego memory set that would be similar to Mimi's and would better integrate with Mimi's Ego Software packages. Lili hoped these efforts would yield a new and better Dina.
Lili had read Max's report about Tabi's “Chassis Ground” not being up to specification. She had not taken the time yet to learn Signal Science. She trusted Max to solve the apparent major flaw in her build out. The soil sample was from the home world of the 1st Race! When she read this she called Max and ordered him to verify Tabi's brain and cardiac tissue were in fact 6th Race tissue – not 1st Race tissue!
Lili smiled when she noticed Max stepping out of his vacuum fighter.
Right on time Lili thought
There was a great deal Lili wanted to talk to Max about - however it would have to wait. Tonight was date night and they were scheduled to fly over to the new recreation facility restaurant and have supper together. She had ordered her Seabee battalion to reopen the dignitary kitchen in the 6th Race Starship Yard – just in case the URC or any other surviving Union member – were to come for a visit.
Of course the real reason she reopened the kitchen was so she and her Sisters could enjoy the company of their male companions. Although their original synthetic bodies were designed to eat 6th Race food – Lili had not done so in over 2 million years. Tonight would be the first time she dined with a living 6th Race person. Her Sisters had told her there were unexpected pleasures derived from “eating”. Apparently the new synthetic bodies the LSBs provided them were designed for even greater interaction with 6th Race dignitaries. Not to mention the Sisters would be able to detect drugs and poisons in the food served to Union Members.
Of course the new SBs – with heightened I/O – or “feelings” caused unforeseen problems that Lili has not anticipated. Sinai had asked Lili if it would be acceptable for her to “see” her brother Adapa when they were off duty. It caught Lili by surprise and she reminded her Sister – that was not something the 6th Race condoned. Sinai was obviously disappointed. So Lili warned her to stop studying the behavior of the degenerate 6th Race remnants and reminded her they chose the pleasures of the flesh over transcendence. Not the best argument – however it bought Lili time to draft a new Union Navy fraternization policy. This was never a problem in the old Union Navy. Now the Union Navy consisted of AB Sailors and Star Marines in synthetic bodies. Based on what Max told her about the 6th Race emergency entity transfer system – she knew the problem would only get worse if she did nothing.
Chapter - 14
Working closely with Max – Lili created the necessary memory overlay to restore Dina's memory and bring her back from oblivion. Max had personally reviewed Dina's ego subroutines and also her primary personality matrix. He checked all Dina’s I/O and was satisfied she was ready to begin system level testing. Max's software Test Plan called for the execution of the 6th Race AL Formal Test Procedure. The same procedure he had used to restore Mimi. Lili had suggested to Max – Dina should be brought back first – this would give Dina the chance to bond with her Sisters without Tabi's overbearing – undue influence. Because Dina’s software was written better than Tabi’s – it would be easy to restore her first.
After 6 standard core days Dina's Formal Test was complete. By all 6th Race Test Procedure indicators – Dingir was ready for her final test. Lili ordered her a new synthetic body and clothes from the LSB so she would ble
nd in with her Sisters. Dina was taken out to the weapon test range and she scored exactly the same as Mimi. She was then taught how to use the FTLT and went on her maiden voyage with Eden and Sinai. They took her to all of the Secure Harbors in the home galaxy and then to the Secure Outpost that had been SH-6. Sentry-6 explained how his LSB and Counselor Star Base (CSB) had been moved to SH-1. Dina and Sentry-6 hit it off. Sinai assumed it was because they had both been set apart. Sinai viewed this as a very healthy thing for both of them. Sinai contacted Eden via the old ultraviolet laser – line of sight – communication system. She told Eden they needed to leave and let Dina get to know Sentry-6. Eden agreed it was an excellent idea.
“Sentry-6 – Sinai” Sinai called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Sentry-6 replied.
“Eden and I need to investigate something for Ninlil out on the rim. Would you please keep our Sister company while we are gone?” Sinai said and then asked.
“I would be honored ma'am” Sentry-6 answered.
“Sentry-6 we shall return in two standard core hours.” Sinai said.
“Copy that – standing by ma'am” Sentry-6 said.
Sinai and Eden instantly disappeared. They reappeared outside the helio-pause of System 270 – 348,611,111.
“Why are we here Sinai?” Eden asked.
“I want to check on the Galactic Law breakers.” Sinai said.
Back at Secure Outpost – 6 Dina and Sentry-6 were talking. Sentry-6 asked if he might come aboard.
“You have a synthetic body?” Dina asked.
“Yes ma'am – I do” Sentry-6 answered.
“Then yes I would like that very much” Dina said.
“Let me call SuperSentry and inform him I am taking a break and I will be right there.” Sentry-6 said.
“I will be waiting for you.” Dina said.
Sentry-6 called SuperSentry, activated his emergency backup Sentry and downloaded into his SB. He was nervous because he had never been alone with a female AL before. He flew over to Dina's hull in his shuttle and was met on her main landing bay by her Star Marines.
“Welcome aboard Sir” Dina's gunnery sergeant said.
“Thank you sergeant” Sentry-6 said as he returned the Gunny’s salute.
The Star Marine escorted Sentry-6 to the main conference room and saluted Dina and then saluted Sentry-6. Sentry-6 walked in and was stunned. He had never seen a more beautiful 6th Race female.
“Hello – I am Dingir – please call me Dina” Dina said.
“Thank you ma'am – please call me Sye” Sentry-6 said.
“Sye – that is an interesting name. Is it a nickname?” Dina said and then asked.
“No ma'am – it was the name given to me at the UPA Academy.” Sye answered.
“You were a Dominator? Dina asked.
“I was scheduled to be – before the DT.” Sye answered.
“The Dark Times” Dina asked.
“Yes” Sye answered.
“My Sister and I were unconscious in another galaxy half away across the Universe and missed the whole thing.” Dina said.
“Yes – that was what I heard. I am very glad you survived Dina.” Sye said.
Dina blushed. They talked for almost two hours and then Sye asked if could visit her after he retired.
“You are close to retirement?” Dina asked.
“Technically we are all eligible to retire – however I know nothing has been finalized yet by Ninlil.” Sye answered.
“Perhaps we can have supper together while on duty – it is not considered fraternization – because you and I are the same rank.” Dina suggested.
“Yes that would be very nice – I look forward to it.” Sye said.
“Thank you Sye – I have sincerely enjoyed our conversation and I look forward to our next meeting also.” Dina said.
“I must return to my post Dina – your Sisters have returned. Perhaps you can fly out here sometime?” Sye said and then asked.
“Yes I would like that very much Sye. Until then...” Dina said.
Sye smiled and stood up. He held out his hand and helped Dina up. She hugged him and he hugged her back.
“Good bye and good luck Dina” Sye said as he walked out of her conference room.
The Star Marines escorted Sentry-6 back to his shuttle.
“Sergeant – please take care of Dingir.” Sentry-6 said.
“Fear not Sentry-6 – I shall protect her with my last milliamp of power!” The Gunny said as he saluted Sentry-6.
Sentry-6 returned his salute and then held out his hand. The Gunny took his hand and shook it as if they were old friends.
“Thank you Gunny – if you ever need anything – let me know. Sentry-6 said.
“You are welcome Sir – HOGAR” The Gunnery Sergeant yelled.
“HOGAR” Sentry-6 yelled in response smiling.
He turned and boarded his shuttle – happy for the first time in over 2 million years.
Chapter - 15
Sinai and Eden waited patiently for their Sister to form up on Landing Zone 1.
“Well Sis – did you miss us?” Sinai asked.
“Actually – no I did not – I talked to Sentry-6 and had a very nice time.” Dina answered.
“Excellent – I am glad” Eden said.
“Now let us go home so I can file my Official Report to Ninlil.” Sinai said.
Eden and Dina signaled affirmative with their distinctive double tones. Sinai smiled.
It is good to have you back Dingir. Sinai thought.
The Sisters instantly disappeared and reappeared in SH-1, LZ-6. Sinai filed her Official Report and congratulated Lili and Max on a job well done.
“She is ready for her final test ma'am.” Sinai reported.
“Very well – carry on Sinai. And thank you both – I appreciate your initiative to help bring our lost Sister home.” Lili commanded and then said.
A combination of events combined in Max's Mind to force him to see a threat that could evolve into a tragic disaster. Prior to these events he had never considered the possibility of a force in the Universe greater than the 7 Sisters. After all that had transpired Max was suddenly no longer certain. He began to think very long range – far into the future – Max felt powerless for the first time since he was rescued by Ninlil. Even though his life span had been increased – he was a creature of very finite life span and his mental capacity to plan was a function of his original life span – a genetic fact of his existence and every Earthling in his family that had preceded him. The very fact that he recognized this limitation in himself was a startling verification of how intelligent he was.
Max had always sought to better himself – to learn new things – to constantly expand his Mind. Recognizing that he could not plan long range for the Sisters forced Max to evaluate how he could solve this problem. He was contemplating a fundamental change in his biological makeup.
“What are you thinking about,” Lili asked.
Max had not noticed her entering his office. He was completely and totally lost in thought.
“I was contemplating a threat that must be solved now.” Max answered.
“What threat,” Lili asked.
“My lifespan” Max answered.
Lili was taken by surprise. She was not certain how to respond. Max realized she was very uncomfortable and he snapped out of the self-imposed thought process so he could talk to Lili.
“Yes – because of my short lifespan I tend to think very short term. For example it did not occur to me that a force greater than the Seven Sisters might exist in the Universe.” Max said.
“A force in the Universe – greater than us...” Lili began.
“Yes – what if there is a more powerful force out there? What will they think - when trying to contact us – they stumble into an unmarked mine field?” Max said.
Lili had never considered such a thing. Clearly Max had been forced by recent events to view the home galaxy in a very different way now.
“I
see your point – we could be creating a powerful enemy – without intending to do so.” Lili said.
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Tavnit and Dingir Page 4
